Total pedal n00b needs guidance

Adam Bomb · #1 08-25-2008, 12:21 PM

Sorry about the new thread. I have gone through the posts and am a little lost.

So, my Inner Bass Sensei said, "Play dry for 3 or 4 years. And then, and only then, go all Family Stone on they azz." I said, "OK".

It is time. I'm actually not a *total* pedal n00b, because I've had the mighty Boss RC-2 Loop Station for a while now. But I want FX.

I've been to BassTasters. My desired FX, in the order I want them, are:
-Envelope Filter
-Flange
-Chorus
I don't "need" all 3, or even 2 of them.

Also, I need a good DI. Is there such a thing as a pretty good (i.e., quiet) DI box with effects? Or, do FX pedals generally also work as DIs? Even just one of the above effects built into a DI would be great. This DI would have to have more than one out. A "through" and an "out" would be fine.

I guess I am not opposed to a multi-effects pedal, but the ones I've seen look less like pedals and more like toys to me. Didn't dig that.

If it matters, my current band plays funky Latin jazz, but I identify as a slightly funky, slightly jazzy rock bassist.

Budget: Is $200 unrealistic? I'd go $300 if I had to, but I wouldn't like it.

I understand that I should buy used. I won't. New only.

Any suggestions? Anyone?

Thanks, people.

--Bomb

OptimusPrime · #2 08-25-2008, 12:28 PM

EHX Micro Q-Tron, MXR Flanger and Aphex Punch Factory for compression and DI. Pssst ... I can hook you up with a Punch Factory.

almix12 · #3 08-25-2008, 12:32 PM

correct me if i'm wrong but DIs are usually pretty cheap (obviously depending on how good you go...) and i'm unaware of any DIs with those effects in them. and with a budget such as yours i doubt even if there was one it could fit into there
therefore apart from a bit of extra room, buy a DI separate.
also as far as budget, i dont know if you want to swoop as low as behringer but if not (and i hope not) then DOD and boss have some good ones.

cheapbasslovin · #4 08-25-2008, 01:12 PM

You can get all of those for as little as about $100 for the lot or you can spend over $1000 if you want. Optimus has some decent suggestions, but I suggest spending some time in a local shop playing them or hunting your local craigslist.

Old school DOD fx25 are popular cheap envelope filters. I'm more of a phaser guy so I don't know where to look for good, inexpensive chorus and flange pedals are.

JanusZarate · #5 08-25-2008, 01:20 PM

DIs exist with effects... but the DI is usually a bonus, not the central feature. An exception would be a pedal like the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI (a.k.a, the "BDDI"), which is intended to be a DI box and/or overdrive effect which emulates a mic'd all-tube rig.

You will not, however, find any standalone flanger, chorus, or filter pedal with a DI. There hasn't been a practical reason to do that with individual effects like those. Well, maybe in the 1980s...

IMO, a separate DI box is a better idea anyway for a number of reasons, especially since the best DI boxes out there are standalone.

And if Latin jazz is your style... I'd personally suggest going for the filter and a DI box first. Funk first, ambiance later.

JoshC · #6 08-25-2008, 05:13 PM

Go with a standalone DI they are usually better based on what I have read.

As far as effects go if you are after flange, filter and chorus I would look into the used market and find a DOD FX-25 Bongo did a review thread somewhere on all of them and which he liked best I believe. For a flange the oldschool Boss BF-2 is popular, more so then the newer BF-3. And as far as a chorus goes you can look at the Boss line of chorus pedals (CEB-?) they would all be solid choices. Another popular chorus is the one made by Analogman with the deep switch, it runs pretty expensive though at $200ish so it may blow your budget. That said, If you went the Boss route for the Chorus and Flange, and DOD for the filter you could easily finish at $150ish if you explored the used world. That would leave you with enough money to buy a DI or something else.

Buying new, especially when you are on a tight budget just isn't worth it.

rustynuts · #7 08-25-2008, 05:21 PM

Any particular reason you've totally nixed the option of buying used? Seems you already know the benefits, I'm curious to hear your perceived cons.

almix12 · #8 08-25-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustynuts

Any particular reason you've totally nixed the option of buying used? Seems you already know the benefits, I'm curious to hear your perceived cons.

same here, i'd be non judgmentally interested

rodl2005 · #9 08-25-2008, 06:47 PM

Envelope Filter.- EHX bass balls is a good OK priced one. Has a distortion effect also!

DI- AS mentioned the S.A. Tech 21 BDDI is a Overdrive & DI all in one. To try out sumthin similar for next to dirt in $$$ the Behringer BDDI21 bass Driver/DI is a copy of the Tech 21BDDI. & it does a pretty good job-especially compared to SOME of their other pedals!! It's pretty robust & works well as a low cost DI also- I've had mine for 3 yrs & it's gottem me outta some 'tite fixes' as well as help to add some nice 'old school' fuzz type drive-very Larry Graham!!! :-)

JanusZarate · #10 08-25-2008, 11:12 PM

OOOOOH, I just realized something!

Adam, you're in Berkeley. Check out Starving Musician off of Shattuck and Haste.

You won't regret it. It's a new/used effects haven.

It was my go-to spot until I moved last month.

Adam Bomb · #11 08-26-2008, 01:42 PM

This is gold, people. Thank you.

I do think I am narrowed down to a filter and a good DI, separate, as Step 1 of my 10-Step plan for world domination.

My fear of used is that the gear is on the verge of tuckering out. But that I think is a more valid concern of, say, a head. For a pedal, I am rethinking used. Especially if the best stuff has been discontinued.

I will definitely check out Starving. And YouTube has been helpful for hearing pedals. I'll research the ones you folks mentioned.

Thanks again!

--Bomb